McDonald's will launch a new burger this spring at its 1,228 restaurants in France: the McBaguette. Part of a strategy of customizing its menu with more locally oriented food at its outlets around the globe. Read the Wall Street Journal article here

TRIUMPH FOR TRANSIT, MAYBE

It looks like the U.S. Speaker of the House is ready to scrap his controversial proposal to end the funding of mass-transit systems with federal gasoline tax revenues, notes Greg Hinz. That's very good news for Metra and the Chicago Transit Authority, and for their riders. Get details in Greg's blog

CFTC TIGHTENS SWAP DEALER REGS

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission approved final rules designed to put in place new oversight of the very large derivatives players known as 'swap dealers.' Read more in the New York Times DealBook

COM ED ORDERED TO PAY UP

State regulators ordered Exelon's Commonwealth Edison unit to pay customers a $36.7 million refund. It's complicated. But most people stand to get $6 or so knocked off a future electric bill. Read more in Crain's

MOTO'S JHA PACKING HIS BAGS?

Word is that Google Inc., which is almost ready to close on its pending $12.5 billion purchase of handset maker Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc., plans to replace Moto's current CEO, Sanjay Jha, with a Google guy. Hey, it happens. Plus, Mr. Jha's in line for a going-away package, including restricted stock and options, worth $66 million. Read more in Crain's

THE OSCAR FOR BEST AD GOES TO...

As the Academy Awards glamor-fest approaches, advertisers are grabbing commercial time — even though the lack of a mega-hit movie this year may hold down ratings. The reason? Attractive viewership demographics and an audience of 'deeply engaged consumers.' Read more in the New York Times

SEARS RAISES CASH, WORRIES LINGER

Acting to raise cash quickly, Sears is selling stores and may bring in close to $800 million. But Chairman and majority owner Edward Lampert's latest maneuvers may be dimming the struggling company's long-term viability, and aren't particularly investor-friendly. Read more in the New York Times

— Brigid Sweeney, meanwhile, reports some frank assessments about how much trouble the company is in. Regarding a possible bankruptcy, says one expert helpfully, “We think they're OK for this year.” Read more in Brigid's blog

— The feds will get a fight: The 77-year-old man they're trying to bring down is a profane caricature of a Chicago pol, a former cop who has long moved comfortably in a world steeped in patronage, favors and nepotism. Mr. Beavers, says one colleague, is 'the last of the old-school tough guys.' Read more in the Chicago Sun-Times

MEAD JOHNSON AIMS FOR PFIZER BABY BIZ

Glenview-based infant-formula maker Mead Johnson Nutrition Co. has opted to team up with European food maker Danone to make a bid for Pfizer Inc.'s infant-nutrition unit. Now there are only two bidders: Whoever wins will likely pay more than $10 billion, and will certainly face a ton of antitrust scrutiny. You can read more in Chicago Health Care Daily

LOVIE SMITH WANTS A WR FOR CUTLER

Bears boss Lovie Smith dropped some hints that his team could use a big wide receiver, a game-breaker. The lack of such a weapon has meant quarterback Jay Cutler spent too much time being treated by opponents as a 'crash-test dummy,' says David Haugh. Read Haugh's Chicago Tribune column